How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator (excavator) in Quebec
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Heavy equipment operator (excavator) is a compulsory trade in Quebec. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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Show the source
“Compulsory/Voluntary (C/V) Certification Required by Apprenticeship Authority Provinces and Territories designate each trade as compulsory or voluntary. Work in Compulsory trades can only be performed by certified journeypersons or registered apprentices.”
From ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps
- Licensed in another province: no separate route
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Your roadmap
Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle has no page of its own for this trade. These are the steps it gives for every designated trade in Quebec.
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
-
You complete the apprenticeship program registration form, using the registration form guide to help you.
Source
“To register for a program, you must complete the apprenticeship program registration form (PDF 604 Kb). You can refer to the registration form guide (PDF 501 Kb) to help you with this.”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
You pay the registration fees according to the fees in effect, by cheque or money order payable to the Québec Minister of Finance.
Source
“You must pay the registration fees payable according to the current fees in effect (PDF 122 Kb). Payment can be made by cheque or money order payable to the Québec Minister of Finance.”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
You send your completed form, the required documents and your payment to the Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle.
Source
“You must send your duly completed form, the required documents and your payment to the following address: Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
You are hired by a company, work under a journeyperson designated by your employer, and complete the required learning hours, skills and training while carrying a valid apprentice card.
Source
“During the apprenticeship program, you will need to acquire the skills to be mastered under the supervision of a journeyperson; complete the required learning hours; successfully complete the required training.”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
You pay the qualifying exam registration fee according to the fees in effect.
Source
“You must pay the qualifying exam registration fee payable according to the current fees in effect (PDF 122 Kb). Payment can be made by cheque or money order payable to the Québec Minister of Finance.”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
You take the qualifying exam, usually a three-hour written exam at a department's exam center, and must pass it to obtain your certificate of qualification.
Source
“This is usually a three-hour written exam that takes place at a department’s exam center. You must pass the exam to obtain your certificate of qualification.”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
No separate route for this group. Source
“Trade Qualifier Challenge Option (Yes/No) Trade qualifiers are people who have experience working in the trade, but have not completed an apprenticeship program in Canada. This indicates if the province or territory allows these experienced but uncertified workers to challenge certification examinations once they have demonstrated proof of eligible trade experience”
ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale will notify you in writing.”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated...
Requirements
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory registers in Quebec. Source
“Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable”
ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $24.00 | $36.00 | $43.40 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $24.00 | $32.50 | $45.00 | — |
Heavy equipment operators (excavator) in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Compare heavy equipment operator (excavator) licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) – Ellis Chart ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml · fetched October 9, 2026
- Process to obtain a compulsory qualification certificate | Gouvernement du Québec quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a heavy equipment operator (excavator) in Quebec?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Quebec. Certification is managed by Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle.
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